MUCH ADO ABOUT PIZZA’S KIRA ZABROWSKI SELECTED AS FINALIST IN THE BIG CHEESE CATEGORY OF 2025 REAL CALIFORNIA PIZZA CHALLENGE
Pleasanton, CA – June 2025 — Much Ado About Pizza is proud to announce that owner and head pizzaiola Kira Zabrowski has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 Real California Pizza Challenge, presented by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB). Zabrowski will compete in the highly coveted “Big Cheese” category, which celebrates bold, cheese-forward pizza creations that highlight the versatility and richness of Real California Cheese.
The Real California Pizza Challenge is a national competition that seeks out the most creative professional chefs across the country. This year’s contest features three new categories—The Big Cheese, On the Menu, and Innovative Wildcard—with just four finalists selected per category. The 12 total finalists will prepare and present their recipes July 28–30, 2025, at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa, California, before a panel of professional chef judges.
“To be selected as a finalist in The Big Cheese category is such an incredible honor,” said Zabrowski. “When I started this journey from my home oven during the pandemic, I never imagined I’d end up representing our little Pleasanton pizzeria at a national competition. I’ve spent years developing our signature sourdough crust and thoughtfully pairing it with local California cheeses that tell a story. To have that work recognized—on a stage like the CIA in Napa—feels both humbling and electric. I’m just so excited and proud to be a part of this opportunity.”
Zabrowski’s competition pizza, created especially for the challenge, reflects Much Ado’s core values: seasonal ingredients, California-grown produce, bold cheese blends, and a crust made with care. It’s a culmination of flavor, story, and purpose.
Much Ado About Pizza has gained national attention for its artisan pies and community-rooted mission, earning honors such as Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants (2024 & 2025), SF Gate’s Best of the Bay 2025, and Pizza Marketplace’s 2025 Top 100 Movers & Shakers, just to name a few.
To learn more about Much Ado About Pizza, visit www.muchadoaboutpizza.com or follow @muchadoaboutpizza on Instagram.
Link to CMAB article:
https://realcaliforniamilkfoodservice.com/pizza-contest/twelve-professional-chefs-named-finalists-in-national-pizza-competition-featuring-real-california-cheese/
